Professor

Terri Switzer, PhD

I serve as Professor and Director of the St. Ambrose University Art History & Museum Studies Department and a contributing faculty member in the SAU Justice, Diversity, & Gender Studies Program. I earned a B.A. in International Studies, Economics, and French with a Russian minor from Butler University, and a Certificate in Russian Studies from Leningrad State Technical University; I received my PhD and M.A. in Art History and M.A. in Arts Administration from Indiana University. A former Fulbright-Hays scholar, my research explores nationalism in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, and Russia. My work has been included in A Companion to Nineteenth-Century Art (2018), Art, Culture and National Identity in Fin-de-Siècle Europe (2003) and Water, Leisure and Culture: European Historical Perspectives (2002).

In addition to founding and creating the SAU Art History & Museum Studies Program, I collaborated on the creation of an Arts Administration minor, as well as the creation of SAU's BA/MA integrated degree with Western Illinois University’s Museum Studies graduate program. I'm an energetic and charismatic professor who teaches more than 20 distinct courses covering a broad range of art historical and museum studies content. In 2021-2022, I was awarded the SAU Career Champion award for my dedication to supporting the career development of students by consistently empowering them to seek meaningful opportunities for work, service, and/or advanced studies with confidence, courage, and curiosity. A vocal advocate for hands-on and experiential learning, I care deeply about student success beyond the classroom, and I coordinate AH/MUSE student internships in area museums, government agencies, libraries, galleries, and historical societies. (Students in the SAU Art History & Museum Studies Program have a 98% job placement rating and 100% graduate school placement.)

A strong supporter of museums and the arts, I previously served on the Executive Board of the German-American Heritage Center & Museum in Davenport, Iowa as Secretary of the Board of Directors. Prior to my career in academia, I held a variety of museum roles, including museum director, curatorial assistant, educational programmer, research fellow, grant writer/fundraiser, special events coordinator, and exhibition installer. I'm also a former peer reviewer for the Hungarian-American Fulbright Commission, and I currently serve as faculty advisor for the St. Ambrose University Museum Enthusiasts Club and the SAU Lambda Beta chapter of Kappa Pi Honor Society.

Contact Us

Contact Terri Switzer for information on Art History

Ambrose Hall 230

563-333-6142

SwitzerTerri@sau.edu

Education and Training

PhD, Indiana University, Art History
MA, Indiana University, Arts Administration
MA, Indiana University, Art History
BA, Butler University

Areas of Professional Interest

Nationalism
Eastern Europe
Russia and the Former Soviet Union
Museum Studies
Arts Administration

Recent Publications

"Nationalism and the Myth of Hungarian Origin: Attila & Árpád." In A Companion to Nineteenth-Century Art (Wiley-Blackwell, 2017)
Sight and Sound in Renaissance and Baroque Europe (c. 1300-1700): A Seminar on Teaching European Art in Context, CIC conference, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA (2016)
History of Graphic Design class exhibition, Morrissey Gallery, St. Ambrose University (2015)
"The Queen of Sins and 'La Mort qui Danse': Late 19th Century Femme Fatale Imagery," Figge Art Museum, Davenport, IA (2010)
Artistic Workshop Practices of Late Medieval and Renaissance Italy, CIC conference, Birmingham, AL (2010)
Curator. "Darwin Caricatures," exhibition of late 19th-century satirical images of Charles Darwin from various print media at St. Ambrose University Library, Davenport, IA (2009)
"Wartime Propaganda in Art in the Early 20th century," Figge Art Museum, Davenport, IA (2008)
Panel discussion on Coexistence exhibition, Figge Art Museum, Davenport, IA (2007)
"Hungarian Self-Representation in an International Context: the Magyar Exhibited at International Expositions & World's Fairs." In: The Structures and Narratives of National Identity Formation. (Cambridge University Press, 2003)
"The Development of a Bathing Culture in Budapest, 'City of Spas'." In: Water, Leisure and Culture: European Historical Perspectives. (Berg Publishers / German Studies Association, 2002)
"Overcoming that Nasty, 3-Letter Word: 'ART' within a Freshman Seminar," Difficult Dialogues in the Introductory Art History Course: College Art Association annual conference, Philadelphia, PA (2002)
"Nationalism in Hungarian Art, 1860-1920," Guest Lecture, Indiana University Art and National Identity Graduate Seminar, Bloomington, IN (2000)
"The scandal lies not in the subject, but in the way it is presented: The Erotic Imagery of Mihály Zichy." In: Oculus: Journal for the History of Art. (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2000)
"Heroism and Tradition: the Gödöllô Art Colony." In: Fulbright Conference Proceedings (Budapest, Hungary: Fulbright Commission, 1999)
"Hungarian Self-Representation in an International Context: the Magyar Exhibited at International Expositions & World's Fairs," National Identities: Association of Art Historians Conference, Exeter University, England (1998)

Presentations

“Conflicting Depictions of Native Americans in Art,” Black Hawk State Historic Site, Rock Island, IL, 2024.
“George Catlin and his ‘Indian Gallery’,” Black Hawk State Historic Site, Rock Island, IL, 2024.
"Art for the Masses: New Deal Art in the Midwest,” Black Hawk State Historic Site, Rock Island, IL, 2024.2024 Co-curator. "New Deal Art in the Midwest," St. Ambrose University Art History & Museum Studies student exhibition, 2024.
Panelist. Collections Conundrum Panel, Collections Management class, St. Ambrose University.
“Hungarian Immigration to Iowa after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848.” Sabbatical research project, 2023.
“History of Museums and Museum Studies Issues,” Geneseo Historical Society (Colony Club), Geneseo, IL, 2023.
Panelist and Research Consultant for Hidden Habsburgs: Immigrants in Iowa, 1846-1868 exhibition. German American Heritage Center & Museum, Davenport, Iowa, 2022.
Guest lecturer. “Art Nouveau: an International Tour,” for Jugendstil: Art for All exhibition. German American Heritage Center & Museum, Davenport, Iowa, 2021.
Guest lecturer. “Communist Monuments in Eastern Europe,” for AH 120 Topics: Public Art, Monuments, and Historic Houses course, 2021 & 2023.
Guest lecturer. “Soviet Monuments and their Legacy in Russia,” for AH 120 Topics: Public Art, Monuments, and Historic Houses course, 2021 & 2023
Guest lecturer. “The Kinsey Institute Art Collection.” AH 120 Topics: Museum Oddities & Mysteries course, 2021.
Participant. EF College Study Tours Development Conference, Barcelona, Spain, 2020

Courses Taught

Topics in Art History: Comics, Mythic Image

An introductory study of specific art historical themes, geographical regions, media, movements or artists. Topics will be announced each semester the course is offered.

Art through the Ages I [Stone Age through Gothic periods]

An introduction to the different styles and functions of art during the historical periods from the Stone Age through the Gothic period; provides the tools for understanding the visual culture of each period against the cultural background of their times. Focuses primarily on the Western artistic tradition.

Art through the Ages II [Renaissance through Contemporary periods]

An introduction to the different styles and functions of art during the historical periods from the late Gothic period through the present day; provides the tools for understanding the visual culture of each period against the cultural background of their times. Focuses primarily on the Western artistic tradition.

Independent Study in Art History

Individual study open to junior and senior art or art history students wishing to do further research in art history. Prior approval of instructor required.

Advanced Topics in Art History: Intro to Museum Studies, The Language of Comics: Image and Meaning, Mythic Image

Advanced study of art historical themes, geographical regions, media, movement or artists. Topics will be announced each semester the course is offered.

The Renaissance

Writing intensive survey of the art, architecture, culture and history of Northern and Southern Europe between the 14th and 16th centuries. Studies the art and architecture of the period within the cultural, social, intellectual and political context of their creation.

Baroque & Rococo

Writing intensive survey of the art, architecture, culture and history of Western Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. Studies the art and architecture of the period within the cultural, social, intellectual and political context of their creation.

Careers in Art History & Museum Studies

Exploration of the careers and professions available to students of Art History and Museum Studies, through professional development exercises and career-related activities and excursions.

Intro to Museum Studies

Introductory survey of a wide variety of institutions within the museum industry, including art museums, history museums, children's museums, historical societies, and house museums. Museum professions and areas of specialization such as administration, fundraising, education, and collections management will also be covered.

Advanced Topics in Women and Gender Studies

Explores a particular issue related to women and/or gender in an interdisciplinary setting.

19th Century Art

Writing intensive survey of the major movements, ideas and artists of Western and Eastern Europe during the nineteenth century. Studies the art and architecture of the period within the cultural, social, intellectual and political context of their creation.

American Art

Writing intensive survey of the major movements and developments in the history of American art, from the pre-Colonial period through the present day. Studies the art and architecture of the period within the cultural, social, intellectual and political context of their creation.

20th Century

Writing intensive survey of the major movements, styles and functions of art in the 20th century. Studies the art and architecture of the period within the cultural, social, intellectual and political context of their creation. Includes the Western world and Russia.

Non-Western Art

Introductory historical survey of the development of art in non-Western geographic regions. Topics announced each semester the course is offered.

Russia

Writing intensive survey of Russian art history from the 10th century to the modern period, beginning with icon painting and ending in Socialist Realist imagery of the 20th century. Studies the art, architecture, and cultural development of Russia within the cultural, social, intellectual and political context of the nation's history.

History of Graphic Design

Writing intensive survey of the styles, periods, significant contributors and developments within the history of graphic design. Includes the development of major movements, ideas and artists, including Ancient and Classical precursors to the tradition, illuminated manuscripts and incunabula, early print technology, the development of photography, the impact of the industrial revolution on visual communications, illustration and poster design, international design movements (ex: Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Bauhaus), and contemporary artists within the field.

Independent Study in Art History / Independent Study in Museum Studies

Individual study open to junior and senior majors or minors wishing to do further research in art history. Prior approval of instructor required.

Capstone Research Experience

Directed individual reading, research and writing on a topic approved by the program.

Internship in Art History

Supervised professional work experience in support of Art History student career goals.

Professional Service

Art History Student Club [League of Art History Enthusiasts], Faculty Advisor, 2011 - Current
St. Ambrose University Museum Enthusiasts Club, Faculty Advisor
St. Ambrose University Lambda Beta Chapter of Kappa Pi Honor Society, Faculty Advisor
Peer Reviewer for Hungarian Fulbright applications, Hungarian-American Fulbright Commission, 2013 - 2015 (2013-2015)

Professional Memberships

German American Heritage Center & Museum
- Executive Board Member (Secretary, 2020-2023)
Hungarian-American Fulbright Commission, Budapest, Hungary
- Peer Reviewer for Hungarian Fulbright applications, 2013-2016
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Washington, D.C.
- Member, Fulbright Alumni
- Member, International Exchange

Honors and Awards

Recent Awards and Activities (abridged)
- St. Ambrose University Career Champion Award, 2022
- Iowa Private Academic Libraries Open Educational Resources Project Grant, 2021